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Leaving Cert. Students with
Electrical / Electronic Engineering as First Choice to receive assistance from
UCD. From the 2nd May 2005,
Leaving Cert Students who have chosen electrical/ electronic engineering in UCD as first preference on their CAO form can avail of free maths grinds to assist them with their revision for their examination in June. The assistance will be provided by current PhD students at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in UCD. Thirty�two students, who have nominated electrical/electronic engineering in UCD as their first choice, are eligible to take up the offer, provided they are taking higher level Maths. PhD students will work on a one-to-one basis with the Leaving Cert students in the coming weeks to help with their preparations for the Maths papers.
Students interested in taking up the offer should call 01-7161909, with their CAO number. Tuition can take place over the phone, by email or in UCD. Students who do not have electrical/electronic engineering in UCD as their first choice on their CAO form are not eligible for the free assistance.
Speaking about the initiative, Professor Tom Brazil said: �Electrical and electronic engineering requires a high level of ability in Maths. We require that students obtain a B3 grade in the higher level paper. It is in our interests to help students achieve this grade if we can. I am grateful to the PhD students within my department who have offered to give their time to this project. I hope that the students who have applied for the course will take up this offer. It is important that we maintain a steady stream of high-calibre graduates to cater for the needs of the market and to further develop our reputation as a leading centre for research.�
The number of graduates from electrical/electronic engineering in UCD has fallen in the last number of years. There were 50 graduates in 2004, but judging by the falling number of first years, it is likely that there will be only 15 graduates in 2007. This will not be enough to meet the demands of the market.
Commenting on the recent trend, Professor Tom Brazil said �Because there are so many different types of engineering, there is often a lack of clarity as to what electrical and electronic engineering involves. An electrical engineer deals with energy, traditionally that would be with the ESB and electricity companies, but there are also opportunities to work with wind, water, and solar energy. An electronic engineer deals with computer engineering and nanoelectronics. It is an exciting time to work in these areas. There is a huge variety of both work and research opportunities now available for graduates of these disciplines. Typically, people who enjoy this type of work have a logical mind, are creative problem solvers, have an aptitude for maths and good communication/teamwork skills. �
Electrical/Electronic Engineering is a four-year degree course in UCD. In 2004, 330 points were required for entry, as well as a B3 in higher level maths. All new students are assigned a mentor from the years above them when they begin the course to assist them in making the transition from a school to a university structure. Students complete two common years of the course, before electing to specialise in electrical or electronic engineering. If students opt for electrical engineering, they are offered a high spec laptop at the reduced price of �500, as work and assignments in their final years require competent IT skills. Students qualify with a B.E., which is a globally recognised professional engineering qualification. According to a survey carried out by the Employment Policy Foundation in the US, electrical engineering is the third highest paying profession in the United States, awarding an average salary $112,000 per annum. Graduates can expect a starting salary of approx �25,000 here in Ireland, which usually rises over five to eight years to between �50,000 � �80,000.
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